The Facebook Money Scam: Are You Exposed?

Even if you take every caution you can about being safe online, one of your Facebook friends could be a victim, causing you to be exposed to the scam.

The Facebook Money scam happens when hackers take over an individual's profile or create a look-alike profile and then begin to create posts or send messages posing as your friend stating they are in some trouble and pleading for financial help. Kind-hearted people are tricked into transferring money to help, but all the money goes to the scammer, and they are left as victims.

How does the Facebook Money Scam happen?

Hackers have many methods of scamming you to get your login information. It could be a phishing email that you clicked on, a website that got your login information, an app you downloaded and is spying on you. Once a hacker has access to your Facebook login, they can access your account and pretend to be you.

How can I protect myself?

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Guardio is a Chrome extension that monitors suspicious activity and blocks hackers from stealing your data.

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Don't accept friend requests from people you don't know, even if you have friends in common.

2. If you receive a duplicate friend request from someone you know, verify with them that they created a second account before accepting the request.
3. Did someone ask you for money on Facebook? Call them. Ask them if they really posted this post. Don't text, call. If their phone was hacked as well, the scammers could be texting back in their name. A voice is much harder to imitate, and you could also be saving them by informing them that they've been hacked.
4. Protect your own account from being hacked: A browsing protection tool like Guardio can alert you from phishing scams and remove apps that are trying to steal your information.

What should I do if I've fallen for the scam?

If you or someone you know has fallen for the Facebook Money Scam, follow all of these steps:

Immediately notify all your friends and loved ones so they won't be tricked into the scam.
Install browser protection that can run a scan on online threats and keep protecting you from other hackers.
Contact Facebook's customer support to tell them what happened, and ask for assistance in recovering your account.
If money has already been transferred, contact your bank immediately to see if they can stop the transaction. Information on where it was sent could also help track the hackers.
Create a secure and strong password for your account and all other logins.
Monitor all your bank accounts closely to look out for any suspicious activity.

By being alert, you can avoid falling as a scam victim. Awareness is critical when it comes to online safety, and it's the best defense. Share this with your loved ones to keep them safe too.too.